<p>Most asthma medications are taken through inhalers, however some may be taken orally. Find out about the different types of medications used to treat asthma.<br></p>

<p>Even if your child has mild asthma, they will usually need to take asthma medicines. Asthma medicines do not cure asthma, but they can help to keep your child’s asthma under control or make symptoms less severe. They also help your child’s lungs stay healthy. In this section of the site, you will learn about the different types of asthma medicines and the different devices that are used to give them.</p>

<h2> Key points </h2>
<ul><li> Asthma medicines do not cure asthma, but they can help lessen symptoms.</li>
<li> Work with your child's doctor to create and adjust an action plan that works for your child's asthma.</li>
<li> There are two main types of asthma medicines: controllers and relievers. Your child may need to take both types of medicine at different times.</li>
<li>Some asthma medicines are given using different kinds of inhaler devices. </li></ul>

<p>Most asthma medications are taken through inhalers, however some may be taken orally. Find out about the different types of medications used to treat asthma.<br></p>

<p>Even if your child has mild asthma, they will usually need to take asthma medicines. Asthma medicines do not cure asthma, but they can help to keep your child’s asthma under control or make symptoms less severe. They also help your child’s lungs stay healthy. In this section of the site, you will learn about the different types of asthma medicines and the different devices that are used to give them.</p>

<h2> Key points </h2>
<ul><li> Asthma medicines do not cure asthma, but they can help lessen symptoms.</li>
<li> Work with your child's doctor to create and adjust an action plan that works for your child's asthma.</li>
<li> There are two main types of asthma medicines: controllers and relievers. Your child may need to take both types of medicine at different times.</li>
<li>Some asthma medicines are given using different kinds of inhaler devices. </li></ul>

<h2>Developing an action plan for your child’s asthma</h2><p>Remember that asthma symptoms are different from child to child even within your own family. You need to work with your child’s doctor to develop an
<a href="/Article?contentid=1487&language=English">asthma action plan </a>specifically for your child. Working with the doctor to find out the right medicines and right dosage for your child may be difficult, but it is very important. Your child’s condition may change over time. Have your child visit the doctor regularly to monitor your child’s asthma. The doctor can adjust your child’s action plan if your child’s condition changes.</p><h2>Types of asthma medicines</h2><p>Some asthma medicines are breathed in and some are swallowed. Medicines that are breathed in are called inhaled medicines. Inhaled medicines have been shown to be very safe in children. </p><p>There are two main types of asthma medicines: controllers and relievers. Your child may need to take both types of medicine at different times. </p><ul><li>Controller medicines are used over the long term to help control the swelling ( inflammation) of your child’s airways. Your child will usually take a controller medicine every day, even if she is feeling well. </li><li>Reliever medicines are used for quick relief during an asthma episode or when your child is having asthma symptoms. You will sometimes hear them called rescue medicines. They act quickly to relax the airways, relieve wheezing and coughing, and help your child breathe. </li></ul><p>If your child is having a severe asthma episode, she may need to take another, more powerful kind of asthma medicine called an oral steroid."Oral" means the medicine is taken by mouth (swallowed). </p><h2>How to give asthma medicines</h2><p>Inhaled asthma medicines are given using different kinds of inhaler devices, such as the following:</p><ul><li>metered-dose inhaler (MDI), which should be used with a spacer</li><li>Diskus inhaler</li><li>Turbuhaler</li><li>nebulizer with compressor</li></ul>
<figure><span class="asset-image-title">Types of asthma inhalers </span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Types_of_asthma_inhalers_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="" /> </figure>
<p>Using these devices may seem complicated at first, but you and your child will get used to them with practice. To make sure you are giving your child’s asthma medicine properly, show your doctor, certified asthma educator, nurse, or pharmacist how you use the inhalers. Ask them to show you the proper technique if you are having trouble.</p>

https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/asthma_medicines.jpg

Asthma medicines

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